My second entry for the Smooshers Valentines Challenge

My second entry for the Smooshers Valentines Challenge was certainly a challenge to create!  I wasn't even sure exactly what I was creating until I neared the end of the project- LOL!  I knew I want to create something around the words Love Birds, and that I wanted to include birds and hearts, but that was about all I knew at first.  I started sculpting the red bird first, and was thinking of possibly creating a necklace, but by the time I had the first bird finished I felt that it would be too big for a necklace.  I created a blue bird as the red bird's mate next.

 

 

 

I textured each feather and highlighted them with various Pearl Ex powders to add a gorgeous shimmer.  I also attached acrylic crystals to the backs of the birds.  Once they were baked I started rummaging through my odds and ends looking for something that would grab my eye and lead me in the direction this project wanted to go in.  I happened to find a round mirror, and suddenly I knew exactly what I wanted to create with these birds.  I saw a mirror wall hanging with the birds on either side and hearts at the top and bottom in my mind's eye.  The next component I created was this three layer heart with a beaded dangle attached to the bottom.

 

Each heart was made from a different shade of red clay and the top one was dusted  with Pearl Ex powders.  I strung a blue and white porcelain bird bead between a pink and a blue glass flower bead, then added a clear glass heart bead with a swirl of blue color running through.  I attached the polymer clay teardrop shape, which was highlighted with Pearl Ex powder, using a heart shaped jump ring.

I made several smaller hearts to adorn the top of the mirror as well.  Then I sandwiched the mirror with blue polymer clay and added all the different elements.  Here's how it turned out.

 

 

One of the things I love about these challenges is how they push me to try new things.  For me, there are no rules when it comes to creating.  I envision the finished piece, and then just figure out how to make that vision a reality.  There were many times while I was creating this when I wasn't sure what my next step would be.  So I relaxed myself, not forcing any ideas, and let my muses lead me.  I found my porcelain bird beads, heart jump rings, and glass hearts just when I needed to.  And each new thing I found in my stash was exactly the right piece to add.  I don't know if other artists work like this, but I usually just go with the flow and see where it takes me.  Whether it's my muse, my inner self, or just blind luck, I usually end up with a piece that I love.  Thanks for spending a little time with me as I share my creations and my creative process!  

 

~Michelle of CreativeCritters

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Feathered Friends Mementos offers unique feathered jewelry

Jinx opened Feathered Friends Mementos on ArtFire.com 11-10-08.  I just love all her jewelry!  Her Biography reads: "I've been creating art of all types since childhood but decided to start my business in 2008.
Jinx is an old high school nickname because I'm a klutz with cat like reflexes, lol - which I used for my online user name for years. When I opened my Etsy shop I didn't realize that the user name was the shop name, duh! and by then it was too late to change. Since I already had a long term presence under this username I just kept it as all my shop names but my DBA is Feathered Friends Mementos.
I'm a full time paramedic in the Houston area, which I love, but my creative side needs more positive reinforcement. So I decided to start a business creating jewelry and other items from feathers. My avatar is my caique parrot, Royal and is my main inspiration."

Jinx creates jewelry, personal items, paintings and drawings inspired by birds and their feathers. She loves creating custom orders using the feathers of someone's parrot companion or recreating one of her designs or your design with different metals or colors.  Her skills and techniques include wire wrapping, watercolor painting, pencil drawings, pet parrot portraits, personalized jewelry and items from your own feathers.  You can find Jinx at http://www.featheredfriendsmementos.com and http://jinx1764.blogspot.com.  Customers have said "Superfast shipping! Thanks! Now...send me some wire wrapping skills to play with the cab! Thanks again!", and "Great interactions for custom order! Thank you!!"  Below is a sample of some of the wonderful items available in her shop.  Be sure to stop in and see all she ahs to offer!

 

All I can say is WOW!  So many beautiful items in this shop- be sure to take your time and look around.  You don't want to miss one thing!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters